UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Time is winding down on the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum as a home for NHL hockey, but the New York Islanders guaranteed there will be at least one more ear-splitting night of playoff action in the old barn.

The relentless Islanders, whom nobody gave much of a chance against the powerful Pittsburgh Penguins, guaranteed a Game 6 here Saturday with a stunning 6-4 win Tuesday night to tie their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal 2-2.

Game 5 is Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

Islanders star John Tavares scored the winner at 10:11 of the third period, taking a pass from Brad Boyes and winding his way around Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik and forward Evgeni Malkin to tuck the puck in by beleaguered goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

New York’s Casey Czikas sealed the win with an ugly goal on Fleury, cutting in from the right wing and slipping it under Fleury’s stick as the goalie went down to hug the post.